Need Some A/c System Knowledge
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Senior User
Joined: Apr 2006
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From: I-45, Texas
Need Some A/c System Knowledge
Here is my problem, the A/c compressor is slinging out oil from the front seal, I assume, behind the clutch/pulley. The residue is covering the radiator hose and my 6637 filter. It did this last summer and I put 2-3oz. of oil in it and kept running it. The A/c blows cold and works fine.
I thought I could buy a compressor and replace. I have guages and my neighbor has a vacum pump. So no problem to pull a vacum and recharge.
BUT, I buy alot of parts from O'reillys and the fleet parts guy was tellin gme this and I have no idea whether he actually knows this or is just trying to sell me parts. Even though I do alot of business there on fleet parts, I always "think" I know what I am doing and have never asked him his opinion before, until now. What do yall think about this story:
"The FS 10 compressor is known for long strands of nylon peeling off the piston, traveling down and stopping up the top layer, of the multi-layer condensor, therefore creating excess head pressure and causing the seal to leak. He says O'reillys will not warranty a A/c compressor unless I buy a new condensor, accumulator, and orifice tube all at the same time for the same vehicle."..........parts guy opinion
I didn't want to spend that much money or that much work, but I hate to replace the compressor and the front seals start leaking because the condensor is stopped up, etc., etc...........
Can someone with A/c experience guide me in the right direction.........
PSS: maybe I should just add another 2-3oz. of oil and deal with the problem next summer...............LOL
I thought I could buy a compressor and replace. I have guages and my neighbor has a vacum pump. So no problem to pull a vacum and recharge.
BUT, I buy alot of parts from O'reillys and the fleet parts guy was tellin gme this and I have no idea whether he actually knows this or is just trying to sell me parts. Even though I do alot of business there on fleet parts, I always "think" I know what I am doing and have never asked him his opinion before, until now. What do yall think about this story:
"The FS 10 compressor is known for long strands of nylon peeling off the piston, traveling down and stopping up the top layer, of the multi-layer condensor, therefore creating excess head pressure and causing the seal to leak. He says O'reillys will not warranty a A/c compressor unless I buy a new condensor, accumulator, and orifice tube all at the same time for the same vehicle."..........parts guy opinion
I didn't want to spend that much money or that much work, but I hate to replace the compressor and the front seals start leaking because the condensor is stopped up, etc., etc...........
Can someone with A/c experience guide me in the right direction.........
PSS: maybe I should just add another 2-3oz. of oil and deal with the problem next summer...............LOL
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Senior User
Joined: Apr 2006
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From: I-45, Texas
OK, good idea, but, if the system is a little low on freon that can cause a higher high side and a lower low side, I think I said that right.
I hate to add freon before tearing it down, but I have some in the shop, tomorrow I will check the pressure, add some freon if needed and record the pressure and post................
thanks
ra
I hate to add freon before tearing it down, but I have some in the shop, tomorrow I will check the pressure, add some freon if needed and record the pressure and post................
thanks
ra
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Joined: Apr 2006
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From: I-45, Texas
Yeah, thanks cowboy steve..........I would never chance getting caught draingin it out, I will prob. go by a shop with a recovery system and I think they will recover it without charging me cause they can sell it to the next person who they work on their A/c...........most of the shope here recycle their freon.
Anyway, I need some help on this one, but I can't afford to take it to a shop and have it fixed, here is the pressure reading that I got a few minutes ago.
Its 80 degrees outside and 78% humidity
Max A/c turned on high LS 30 HS 100
Norm A/c turned to middle on temp thermostat LS 40 HS 100
BUT, I watched this for about 15 minutes and the compressor never kicked off, so I added 12 oz. of freon and let it runa nd the compressor never kicked off.
So, maybe I have something else going on and the compressor gets too hot and casues the seals to leak. I used the A/c for about a month befoer it started leaking again.
I didn't check the temp. of the a/c air but its is plenty cold. I will check it with a thermometer on my way to town in a few minutes and post back.
Any ideas?
Thanks
Anyway, I need some help on this one, but I can't afford to take it to a shop and have it fixed, here is the pressure reading that I got a few minutes ago.
Its 80 degrees outside and 78% humidity
Max A/c turned on high LS 30 HS 100
Norm A/c turned to middle on temp thermostat LS 40 HS 100
BUT, I watched this for about 15 minutes and the compressor never kicked off, so I added 12 oz. of freon and let it runa nd the compressor never kicked off.
So, maybe I have something else going on and the compressor gets too hot and casues the seals to leak. I used the A/c for about a month befoer it started leaking again.
I didn't check the temp. of the a/c air but its is plenty cold. I will check it with a thermometer on my way to town in a few minutes and post back.
Any ideas?
Thanks
Last edited by Riata_Ag; Jun 25, 2007 at 12:44 PM.
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Silver Lake Dunes, MI
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Senior User
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From: I-45, Texas
Sorry I forgot to post that...........after adding the freon the pressure didn't change.
For whatever reason the head pressure isn't increasing enough to activate the pressure switch to dis-engage the compressor? Is this a partially correct assumption?
Thanks again guys.........if you have A/c knowledge/experience keep the thoughts coming
ra
For whatever reason the head pressure isn't increasing enough to activate the pressure switch to dis-engage the compressor? Is this a partially correct assumption?
Thanks again guys.........if you have A/c knowledge/experience keep the thoughts coming
ra
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Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Apr 2006
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From: I-45, Texas
Latest Update:
My HS gage wasn't working correctly.
I stopped at a friends here in town and checked the pressure again.
LS 38
HS 200
cold air temp on mac cool 40 degrees with truck sitting still
He suggested I replace the accumulator, orifice tube and the compressor and also the pressure switch to see if its faulty is why the comp. runs continuosly.
What are you guys thoughts?
thanks
ra
My HS gage wasn't working correctly.
I stopped at a friends here in town and checked the pressure again.
LS 38
HS 200
cold air temp on mac cool 40 degrees with truck sitting still
He suggested I replace the accumulator, orifice tube and the compressor and also the pressure switch to see if its faulty is why the comp. runs continuosly.
What are you guys thoughts?
thanks
ra
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 12,835
Likes: 3
From: Silver Lake Dunes, MI
I would start with the pressure switch first. Get the compressor working correctly first then look into getting the leak fixed up. If you do the compressor the orfice tube and the accumalator/dryer are the normal items to be replaced also.
Hotshot
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 10,764
Likes: 39
Originally Posted by powerstroked162
Make sure you release the freon under cover. If your caught dumping freon in the air, its a big big fine. some were up in the $75,000-$100-000 range. Good luck
Cowboy Steve
Cowboy Steve
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 12,835
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From: Silver Lake Dunes, MI
I don't know about ok or legal but I have done it. An entire brand new 30 pound keg of it! it blew out the pressure relief once it got heated up by the tank heater ont he recycle machine! that was not a good day. Thankfully Napa replaced it free of charge.
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2005
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Riata_Ag here is my info for you on your part's guy's opinion. I've managed parts stores for 10 years. The reason the guy told you....
"He says O'reillys will not warranty a A/c compressor unless I buy a new condensor, accumulator, and orifice tube all at the same time for the same vehicle."..........parts guy opinion"
Is this.... Back in the day A/C work with R12 was easier, pressures were lower, all was good. Prices went up with advent of 134. We ( parts stores ) were still selling compressors as usual. Then the returns started to increase, and increase, and increase. Not only from walk in customers but from shops that didn't know what they were doing and would not get educated on the newer systems. I would litterly sell a compressor to someone, who had scattered their original one, they would bolt mine on. Fill it up with freon, and either forget the oil or put in the wrong type. Run it for a couple hours to a couple days then blow it. Come back in and get a warranty. We knew on the counters what was happening but the higher ups don't want a counter guy telling a customer ( shop or walking ) you're doing it wrong. Might hurt sales .. Oh my. So the rebuilders were eating it for the moment. The rebuilders didn't put up with this for long and lowered the boom on the middle men ( the parts stores ). I'd say from personal experience that 70-80% of the compressors I saw returned were user error issues and/or poor installation. My store ate thousands of dollars in kicked back defects just in one season. Then the rebuilders came down with the creed you listed on your post. IF .... you need a compressor you'd better buy an accumulator, orfice tube, have the condensor flushed ( with proof ), and system refilled by authorized center .... OR .... NO WARRANTY from them. Sorry for the long post but basically the guy is doing what he's told and covering his butt. But it is the correct way to do quality a/c repairs. No matter where you go you'll get the same criteria, Napa, CarQuest, Discount, ect... .
Oh yea ... like TJ said get a switch and see if that cures your cycle issue. Unfortunately if it's leaking oil the damage might be already done. A lot of front seal leaks come from too much pressure on the high side, or something in the system coming loose and debris cutting it from behind.
"He says O'reillys will not warranty a A/c compressor unless I buy a new condensor, accumulator, and orifice tube all at the same time for the same vehicle."..........parts guy opinion"
Is this.... Back in the day A/C work with R12 was easier, pressures were lower, all was good. Prices went up with advent of 134. We ( parts stores ) were still selling compressors as usual. Then the returns started to increase, and increase, and increase. Not only from walk in customers but from shops that didn't know what they were doing and would not get educated on the newer systems. I would litterly sell a compressor to someone, who had scattered their original one, they would bolt mine on. Fill it up with freon, and either forget the oil or put in the wrong type. Run it for a couple hours to a couple days then blow it. Come back in and get a warranty. We knew on the counters what was happening but the higher ups don't want a counter guy telling a customer ( shop or walking ) you're doing it wrong. Might hurt sales .. Oh my. So the rebuilders were eating it for the moment. The rebuilders didn't put up with this for long and lowered the boom on the middle men ( the parts stores ). I'd say from personal experience that 70-80% of the compressors I saw returned were user error issues and/or poor installation. My store ate thousands of dollars in kicked back defects just in one season. Then the rebuilders came down with the creed you listed on your post. IF .... you need a compressor you'd better buy an accumulator, orfice tube, have the condensor flushed ( with proof ), and system refilled by authorized center .... OR .... NO WARRANTY from them. Sorry for the long post but basically the guy is doing what he's told and covering his butt. But it is the correct way to do quality a/c repairs. No matter where you go you'll get the same criteria, Napa, CarQuest, Discount, ect... .
Oh yea ... like TJ said get a switch and see if that cures your cycle issue. Unfortunately if it's leaking oil the damage might be already done. A lot of front seal leaks come from too much pressure on the high side, or something in the system coming loose and debris cutting it from behind.
Tuned
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 375
Likes: 0
From: Beaumont Tx
Check your local yards for a compressor. I balked at the 200 dollar price they wanted for mine. I was lucky enough to be poking around my favorite yard by me and found one. 50 dollars later I had a good compressor. I will advise though no matter what you do when you go to install the new compressor put about 5 ounces of oil into the compressor and rotate it at least 10 revolutions by hand. After you install your compressor I would change the orifice tube just for good measure. When you pull it down into a vacuum I would add another 3 ounces of oil then your refrigerant charge. Their might be some people who disagree but this is what I have done for years and never had any problems. I looked around but couldn't find my pressures chart. I have one at the shop I'll scan it into a file and send it to you if you would like.